We would like to place strictly necessary cookies and performance cookies on your computer to improve our website service. You can change your cookie setting but parts of the website may not work. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies and we’ll assume you are OK to continue. To find out more about cookies on this website and how to manage them see our Cookie Policy.

News

NLWA cracks down on costly trade waste abuse

December 9 2015

North London Waste Authority (NLWA) is cracking down on trade waste abuse at its north London reuse and recycling centres (RRCS). The cost of illegal use of the sites by some professional builders and landscapers costs is passed on to council tax payers; dealing with soil and rubble costs taxpayers more than £100,000 a year.

The changes, which come into force on 4 January 2016, also aim to standardise the services on offer at reuse and recycling centres across north London and make it easier for residents to dispose of small amounts of soil and rubble generated by DIY and gardening at home.

From 4 January residents will be able to take a van to most RRCs in north London on any day of the week, including Summers Lane RRC in Barnet / Regis Road RRC in Camden / Park View Road and Western Road RRCs in Haringey / Hornsey Street RRC in Islington / South Access Road in Waltham Forest. Each household will be limited to five van visits a year to ensure that the service is only being used by householders rather than professional traders. Residents will also be able to bring up to six standard rubble sacks of soil and rubble each month to RRCs across north London, apart from Gateway Road RRC in Waltham Forest, which doesn’t accept soil.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, Chair of NLWA, said: “Our reuse and recycling centres offer a great service for residents wanting to recycle more of the stuff they’re throwing away. That means that in 2014/15 we were able to achieve a recycling rate of 72% at our RRCs.

“However, we know that some professional traders are bringing in materials illegally to save themselves money. By making some changes to the services we offer at our RRCs we can crack down on this sort of illegal activity, which costs us taxpayers a lot of money, and help improve services for residents as well.”

The decision to crack down on illegal dumping of trade waste comes, because, like most other local authorities, NLWA does not have a duty to dispose of materials like soil and rubble as they don’t count as household waste. However, because many people generate soil and rubble when carrying out DIY and gardening at home the Authority offers a limited service for residents.